‘Heavenly’ book inspires pastor – Camarillo Acorn

Rev. James OConnell The Rev. James OConnell of Camarillo Church of the Nazarene said that in the current political climate, its especially important for Americans to keep in mind the bigger picture.

Americans, he said, have the luxury of openly debating social and fiscal issues without serious recourse, whereas residents in more oppressed countries can risk death if they question the government.

The senior pastor isnt suggesting that Americans stop discussing tough topics, but when they do he feels they need to be more sensitive and empathetic.

We need to do a much better job of loving one another and being able to agree and disagree with civility, the pastor said. My mission is to love people, not convince them of all my opinions on everything.

OConnell said that such big picture focus is one of his many takeaways from The Heavenly Man, an autobiography by the exiled Chinese Christian leader Brother Yun.

Yun, now 59, was instrumental in developing Christian house church networks in China during the 1980s and 90s.

In the book, he describes the religious persecution and oppression he faced as he attempted to lead people to Christ while living under a communist regime.

Yun refused to join a government controlled Christian church. That decision led to multiple arrests and torture at the hands of Chinese police.

In his book, the evangelist details receiving just one loaf of bread to eat per week while behind bars.

Despite the brutal conditions, he continued his ministry and shared what little food he had.

Yun eventually escaped from Zhengzhou Maximum Security Prison after many years behind bars and took asylum in Germany.

The evangelist, who was later imprisoned in Myanmar for seven months, now travels the globe with a translator to share his story and seeks to send thousands of missionaries from China into other counties.

OConnell said Yun shows what it means to live an obedient life, by not letting anything or anyone deter him from doing the will of God.

And even when those actions seem futile in the moment, the pastor said, it is important to realize their purpose may reveal itself down the road.

It is so easy in American culture to become success-oriented, OConnell told the Acorn. But when God calls you to do something and you do it, thats the win. The success is my obedience, not the outcomes of my obedience.

OConnell said Yuns story has marked similarities to that of Jesus.

Jesus wasnt purposefully engaging in political discussion, the pastor said. He was going village to village, town to town, healing the sick and preaching the good news. It was the religious (administration) of the day that really hated him . . . but his thing was never about fighting them. He was demonstrating and revealing the goodness of God.

OConnell said he, too, aspires to pursue Gods desire for his life, a call he said all believers should consider.

He also encouraged Americans to rise above the minutiae of divisive issues and remember that the person theyre disagreeing with is a real person with real feelings.

The oppression Yun faced is really radical, he said. It brings a sense of perspective to what is really important and what is really not important at all.

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'Heavenly' book inspires pastor - Camarillo Acorn